Knockdown metal table



Sept. 5, 1950 c. P. MOLLA 5 5 Y KNOCKDOWN METAL TABLE Filed Feb. 18,1946

INVENTOR 94 9 5; Q Mzm ATTOR EY Patented Sept. 5, 1950 we Charles P.Molla, New Hyde Park, N. Y., assignor to Molla Incorporated, New York,N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 18, 1946, SerialNo. 648,397

9- Claims.

This invention relates to what might be generally referred to as wroughtiron tables. More -particularly,- the invention deals with tables ofthis type and kind adapted for porch and outdoor uses, wherein the tableis composed of detachably coupled parts, comprising a top table framepart, four similar leg members and a bottom leg brace and coupling part,whereby the complete table can be compactly packed in a relatively thincontainer of dimensions corresponding to peripheral dimensions andthickness of the table top frame. The novel features of the inventionwill be best understood from the following description whentaken'together with the accompanyin'gdrawing,

in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and inwhich the separate parts are designated by suitable reference charactersin each of the views; and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a table made accordin to my invention, withparts of the construction only partially indicated.

Fig. 2 is an end view similar to Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the table indicating part of a transparenttable slab arranged in one corner of the table top frame.

Fig. i is an exploded'perspective view showing diagrammatically onecorner portion of the table top frame,the upper part of a leg forattachment thereto, and also illustrating the bolt and nut structure inmaking one of the attachments of the leg with the table top frame, andalso omitting the filagree or ornamental work of the table top frame tosimplify the illustration;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale, andillustrating the assemblage of a leg with a corner of the table top; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a container'dia grammatically showing indotted lines the arrangement of the table parts within the container, instorage, packaging, or' shipment thereof.

In constructing wrought iron or similar metal tables for porch, lawn,playroom and other uses, it has been customary to construct a completeassembly unit of the table, which has necessitated complications instorage, packaging and shipment of the complete assemblage. Further ithas often resulted in damage to the table in shipment and handlingthereof. 1

It is the purpose of my invention to provide'a knockdown structure ofthe class under consideration wherein the complete table may be acked ina relatively small package or container, the size of which is governedby the length, width and height of the table top frame. By reason ofthis construction, a greater number of table units can be storedinthe'space normally occupied oy one completely constructed table, andfurther the table is protectedin shipment and transportation. Stillfurther, a convenient means; is provided forstorage of the table in thehome between seasons and when the same is not in use.

. In the drawing I have shown at [0 a top table frame partor section. AtII I have shown four leg parts or sections, each of which is of the sameconstruction, and for this reason, one reference character'isused oneach of these parts. At I2 I have shown a leg bracing .or' couplingsection. The table top part or section It is composed of top and bottomrectangular frames it and I4 joined and spaced by L-shaped corner posts15,

I 3'are L-s'haped table top retaining cleats I9 having raisedflangeportions 20 adapted to retain a transparent table top 2i againsthorizontal shifting ordisplacement from the table top part or sectionIn, part only of the table top 2| is shown at one corner portion of Fig.3. It will also I be understood that any type or kind of table top canbe employed, such as plastic or combinations of plastic and fibre boardor metal, or metal faced tops. I l v I -The cleats l9 in addition toretaining the table top against displacement alsofurther reinforce I the.corner portions of the complete table top framejthe cleats being weldedor otherwise secured in position. The lower frame parts I4 have adjacentthe corner posts land at sides and ends thereof rectangular apertures 22for receiving the square portions 23 of stove bolts or similarfastenings 24 employed to secure the upper ends of the legs I i to thetable top part or frame Hi.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing, the upper end of one of the legs is shown, andwelded to the end of the leg II is an L-shaped mounting bracket 25, theend portions of which have apertures ZG-fcr the reception of the bolts24 and nuts 21 are employed in securing the parts together. It willappear that the upper end of the'leg 'Il extends to form a shoulder 28outwardly beyond the corner portion 29 of thebracket 25, so that thisshoulder forms a seat-'upon which the corner post 15 is adapted to rest,as will clearly appear from'ia consideration of Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawing. The lower ends of the legs have large disc like feet 30 toprovide a wide spread support upon a lawn or other surface. Centrally ofeach leg is secured an inwardly directed cleat 3| to which the brace andcoupling frame I2 is secured by bolts 24', similar to the bolts 24.

The frame l2 comprises an ornamental structure comprising a center ring32 to which is welded or otherwise secured abruptly curled ends 33 ofsupporting arms 34 which flare outwardly in the direction of opposedsides of the table, as clearly seen in Fig. 3 of the drawing, and theends of these arms are secured to the cleats 31 by the bolts 24'. Theframe 12 in addition to bracing and coupling the legs II also form atable like structure upon which magazinesypapers and similar articlescan be supported.

Joining the top and bottom frames l3 and M of the table top l0, andwelded or otherwise secured-to edges of these frames, including thecorner posts 1 5, is an ornamental or filagreework, -as partiallyindicated at 35, in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. This gives anattractive ornamental appearance to the-resulting table. This filagreework has been omitted from the showing in 'Fig. 4, as well as in Fig. 5in order to simplify the showings in these latter figures. It will beapparent that the design of this ornamentation may lee-modified indifferent tables without interfering with the basicconstruction of thecomplete tableunit comprising the parts Ill,-H and l'2.

By reason of the braced leg structure employed, the table'obtains a verysturd mounting and support, and yet the complete table structure, whenassembled, will be comparatively lightin weight, enabling the same to bemoved about without difficulty. This light structure also facilitateshandling in the packaging and shipment thereof. It will, of course, beunderstood that thetables may be made in different sizes, and I havefound from practical experience that three sizes are desirable, that isto say, a small, medium and large size. In this way, tables to suitdifferent uses are made available.- Thesmaller size tables are oftenused as end tables associated with chairs, couches, settees and thelike, whereas the 'larger'tables may be used in serving and as luncheontables foroutdoor refreshments or meals of any type or kind.

In assembling the table unit from it knockdown packaged condition, it isdesirable to first couple the legs with the corner portions of the tabletop with the latter ininverted position upon a floor or supportingsurface, after which the leg brace and supporting mem'ber fl'is:assembled with the leg members and after this assemblage has been made,the bolts coupling the leg members of the table top are tightened totheir secure position, and finally the bolts 24' are tightened. Thetable top 2| can be securely fixed in position or can be made detachableand shipped in a separate package, particularly when it is desirable tosell table tops of color combinationssatisfying the tastes of acustomer. In this way, the complete table unit can also'be produced inone of a number of colors or color combinations which can be marked andidentified onthe carton or package 35, shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing.In this figure, the various parts of the complete table .unit, that isto sayythe table top frame ID, the leg members, and the leg brace framelZ, are diagrammatically illustrated in dotted lines.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A knockdown metal table comprising a unitary rectangular table topframe, a plurality of similar leg member and a leg coupling and bracingframe, means comprising L-shaped brackets at upper terminal end'portions of the leg members and apertures at lower corner portions onlyof said table top frame for detachably coupling "the leg memberstherewith, means at the central portion of" the leg members and on saidcoupling and bracing frame for detachably coupling the latter with'theleg members, said leg members having relatively large feet at the lowerends thereof, and said table top frame comprising upper and lower frameparts fixedly united and spaced by L-shaped corner posts.

2. A knockdown metal table comprising a unitary rectangular table topframe, a plurality of similar leg members and a leg coupling-and bracingframe, means comprising L-shaped brackets at upper terminal end portionsof the-legamembers and apertures at lower corner .portions only of saidtable topframefor'detachablywcoupling the leg memberstherewith,'meansatithecentraI portion of the leg members'and' on'saidcoupling and bracing frame for detachably coupling-the latter with theleg members, said leg'members having relatively'large feet'at the lowerends thereof, said table top frame comprisingupper and lower frameparts'fixedly unitedandspaced by L-shaped corner'posts', and theupperframe being L -shaped in cross sectional formproviding a tophorizontal part-and a depending vertical outer wall part.

3'. A-knockdownmetal table comprisirigra unitary rectangular tabletopframc, a plurality of similar leg members and a leg coupling andbracing frame, meansxcomprising L-shaped brackets at upper terminal endportions of the legmembers and apertures at lower-corner portionsonly of-sai'd table topfrarne for dctachablycoupling theleginembers therewith;means :at the central portion of the leg members and'omsa-id couplingand bracing-frame for detachably-coupling the latter-with the legmembers, said leg members having relatively large feet at the lowerendsthereof, said tabletcpframe comprising upper and lower-frame partsfixedly united andspaced by 'L-shaped cornerv posts, the upper: framebeing L-shaped in-cross sectional form prov-idingaa top horizontal partand a depending vertical-outer wallppart, a table top for mounting onthe upper part of said top' frame, and means at 'cor-nenportionsofthetable framefor-retainingsaid table top against-horizontal shiftingthereon.

A kn-ockdownmetaltable of the classdescribed com; iuga rectangular topsection, said section-comp. ng upper and lower frames-spaced andintegrally unitm L-shaped-ccrner posts at cornenporticns of saidsection, four similar'leg members, upper ends of said leg members havingintegral L-shapedbrackets extending beyondside limits of the leg membersand adapted to seat snugly upon inner surfaces ofthe. bottom frame ofsaid top section with upper ends .of thezleg members seating on thelower ends of said corner'posts outwardly'of said brackets,meanshdetachably coupling the brackets to said bottom frame, a legbracing and, coupling frame "detachably :coupled with "center portionsof" said legs; said top section having :L-shaped :cornercleatsreinforcing corner portions of the upperframc of said section,'-andsaid-:cleats havingfiangaportions extending above the upper surfaces ofsaid top frame to form means retaining a table top against shifting onsaid top section.

5. A knockdown metal table of the class described comprising arectangular top section, said section comprising upper and lower framesspaced and integrally united by L-shaped corner posts at corner portionsof said section, four similar leg members, upper ends of said legmembers having integral L-shaped brackets extending beyond side limitsof the leg members and adapted to seat snugly upon inner surfaces of thebottom frame of said top section with upper ends of the leg membersseating on the lower ends of said corner posts outwardly of saidbrackets, means detachably coupling the brackets to said bottom frame, aleg bracing and coupling frame detachably coupled with center portionsof said legs, said top section having L-shaped corner cleats reinforcingcorner portions of the upper frame of said section, said cleats havingflange portions extending above the upper surfaces of said top frame toform means retaining a table top against shifting on said top section,and the upper frame of said top section being L-shaped in crosssectional form providing a fiat upper supporting surface for a table toparranged thereon.

6. A knockdown metal table of the class described comprising arectangular top section, said section comprising upper and lower framesspaced and integrally united by L-shaped corner posts at corner portionsof said section, four similar leg members, upper ends of said legmembers having integral L-shaped brackets extending beyond side limitsof the leg members and adapted to seat snugly upon inner surfaces of thebottom frame of said top section with upper ends of the leg membersseating on the lower ends of said corner posts outwardly of saidbrackets, means detachably coupling the brackets to said bottom frame, aleg bracing and coupling frame detachably coupled with center portionsof said legs, said top section having L-shaped corner cleats reinforcingcorner portions of the upper frame of said section, said cleats havingflange portions extending above the upper surfaces of said top frame toform means retaining a table top against shifting on said top section,the upper frame of said top section being L-shaped in cross sectionalform providing a flat upper supporting surface for a table top arrangedthereon, said leg members being bowed inwardly at the central portionsthereof, and the lower ends of said leg members having enlarged feet.

7. A knockdown metal table of the class described comprising arectangular top section, said section comprising upper and lower framesspaced and integrally united by L-shaped corner posts at corner portionsof said section, four similar leg members, upper ends of said legmembers having integral L-shaped brackets extending beyond side limitsof the leg members and adapted to seat snugly upon inner surfaces of thebottom frame of said top section with upper ends of the leg membersseating on the lower ends of said corner posts outwardly of saidbrackets, means detachably coupling the brackets to said bottom frame, aleg bracing and coupling frame detachably coupled with center portionsof said legs, said top section having L-shaped corner cleats reinforcingcorner portions of the upper frame of said section, said cleats havingflange portions extending above the upper surfaces of said top frame toform means retaining a table top against shifting on said top section,the upper frame of said top section being L-shaped in cross sectionalform providing a fiat upper supporting surface for a table top arrangedthereon, said leg members being bowed inwardly at the central portionsthereof, the lower ends of said leg members having enlarged feet, andthe top and bottom frames of the top section being joined by ornamentalportions throughout the periphery thereof.

8. A knockdown metal table comprising a rectangular table top frame, aplurality of similar leg members and a leg coupling and bracing frame,means comprising L-shaped brackets at upper terminal end portions of theleg members and at corner portions of said table top frame fordetachably coupling the leg members therewith, means at the centralportion of the leg members and on said coupling and bracing frame fordetachably coupling the latter with the leg members, said leg membershaving relatively large feet at the lower ends thereof, said table topframe comprising upper and lower frame parts fixedly united and spacedby L-shaped corner posts, the upper frame being L-shaped in crosssectional form providing a top horizontal part and a vertical outer wallpart, a table top for mounting on the upper part of said top frame,means at corner portions of the table frame for retaining said table topagainst horizontal shifting thereon, and said last named meanscomprising L-shaped cleats having raised flange portions projectingabove the horizontal parts of said top frame.

9. A knockdown metal table of the class described comprising arectangular top section, said section comprising upper and lower framesspaced and integrally united by L-shaped corner posts at corner portionsof said section, four similar leg members, upper ends of said legmembers having integral L-shaped brackets extending beyond side limitsof the leg-members and adapted to seat snugly upon inner surfaces of thebottom frame of said top section with upper ends of the leg membersseating on the lower ends of said corner posts outwardly of saidbrackets, means detachably coupling the brackets to said bottom frame,and a leg bracing and coupling frame detachably coupled with centerportions of said legs.

CHARLES P. MOLLA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

George Koch Sons, Inc, Evansville, Ind., Catalogue No. 3*R, 1939. (Copyin Design Div.)

